Protective cover for plumbing fixtures



Oct. 6, 1931. J. HfMccANN PROTECTIVE COVER FOR PLUMBING FIXTURES 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 27, 1929 jg/WC 12212. z fvzys.

Oct. 6, 1931. J. H. MccANN 1,825,010

PROTECTIVE covER Fon ELUMBING FIXTURES Fed March 27, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet '2 Oct. 6, 1931. A.1. H. MQCANN 1,826,010 PROTECTIVE covER FOR PLUMBING `FIxTumizs Filed March 27. 1929 3 'Sheets-Sheet 5 ggg/@JQ Patented @et d,

JGEN IVEICCANN, 01 CHECAGO, ILLINOIS PROTFCTEVE CGVER EL'IVIBNG FIXTURES Application filed March 27', 1929. Serial No. 350,284..

i "his invention rclaics to coverings for porcelain or vin-cous coated plumbing fixtures, such as bath tubs, lavatories, sinks, etc. and more particularly to coverings that are adapted to be temporarily applied to the littings for protecting the same while the buildirm` is under construction. Y Many of these fixtures, especially bath tubs, are built-in, which necessitates their installation priorl to the completion of plastcring or tile-setting in the bath room. and some times even before the partitions fixed in position. Under such conditions the fixtures are likely to be damaged by the workmen; .ace cordingly it is desirable that some form of covering be provided toprevent such injury.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved covering with means to prevent its unauthorized removal from the fixture, thus insuring the latter against willful abuse, neglect or carelessness during construction work. Another object is to provide an improved covering, especially suited for fixtures of the built-in type that fully coversthe fixture before plastering or tilesetting on the adjacent walls and adapted to be adjusted by autlio 'ized persons to provide clearance for the plas'tering or tile-setting while still priiitecting the remaining pori'zion of fllie fixture. fr further object is to produceA an improved vcovering lthat is simple, light, strong and durable and capable of use over and over again. it consists in certain features and elements of construction herein shown and described, as indicated by the claims.

ln the drawings:

Figure i. is a top plan view of a cover en1- lwnlyingthis invention as applied to a builtin bath tub.y showing in section the adjacent walls of the room or recess, with the cover adjusted to fit against the rough iin ished walls.

Figure 2 is a similar top plan view, but showing the cover adjusted to provide clearance for nishing work on the walls.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the tub with the cover applied thereto, certain portions being broken away to reveal details of construction, particularly the locking means.

Figure fi is an end elevation of the tub taken as indicated at line 4 4 on Figure 3 and with a portion broken away to show the locking means.

Figure 5 is a detail section taken as indicated at line 5 5 on Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a front elevation of the lavatory bowl fitting with a cover embodying this invention.

Figure 7 is a side elevation ofthe same showing the adjacent wall in section.y

Figure 8 is a front elevation of a pedestal type lavatory tting with a protective cover.

Figure 9 is a rear elevation of the same with a portion broken away to condense the view. Y

Figure 1() is a partial elevation of a pedestal lavatory with a modified form of cover Vapplied thereto. f

Figure 1l is a bottom plan View of the cover A shown in Figure 10, and is taken as a Section at line 11-11 thereon.

Figure 12 is a top plan view of a protective cover as applied to a closet bowl.

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the same with parts broken away and shown in section.

Figure 14 is a front elevation of a kitchen sink with a protective cover applied.

VFigure 15 is an end elevation of the same with the adjacent wall shown in section.

For illustrative purposes the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 5 as applied to a conventional design of a built-in7 bath tub indicated at 1. When installing this type of tub, it is positioned with one -or more of its lateral surfaces closely adjacent a corresponding number of rough walls, as indicated at 2; and as herein shown, the'tub is surrounded by walls at both ends and at one side. As is well known, the finished surface of the Wall as indicated at 2a, Awhether plaster, tile or the like, is applied so as to partially imbed the adjacent edge portions of the tub with the final layer of the wall overlapping the outer marginal portions of the tub. The protective cover embodying this invention is preferably applied prior to the surfacing of the walls so as to insure protection of the fixture from the day when it is installed until completion and .final inspection of the buildinof. The protec- Ace extended to abut the side walls at the ends of the tub, as seen in Figure 1, said parts, el, beingV made fast by the clamping bolts, 5. The two tie rod struts are then adjusted to hold the cover tight on the tub, by access through the door, 40, which is then padlocked to prevent unauthorized removal of the covering. Vhen it is desired to finish the walls of the bath room, the authorized person then unlocks the cover door, 40, releases the tie struts, and moves the cover proper awa-y from the back wallrthe proper distance, and at the same time the supplemental portions, l, are retracted and clamped in position to afiord proper clearance for finishing the side walls; the tie struts are again made taut to hold the cover Vin this new position (as shown in Figure 2) and the access door, 40, is relocked. if the extensions, l', and the cover itselfl have been moved some distance from the wall to give ample room for the finishing work, it may be desirable to re-adj ust the cover again after this work is completed, moving it close to the finished surface of the wall and thus completely protecting the upwardly exposed surfaces of the tub.

t may be understood that in designing this covering, it may be dimensioned vso that when the cover is moved forward away from the back wall for plastering or tile-setting, the bracket, 31,'will substantially align with the vertical center plane ofthe tub, and the head of the rod, 26, may then be shifted to that bracket, if desired. Thus this combined strut may be disposed in substantially vertical position when' the cover is at either position of adjustment. And when the cover is reversed end for end for use with a tub of opposite hand, the brackets, 30 and 3l, may be used in converse order. lt is apparentthat the covering is capable of such slight modification and variation as to readily adapt it for use with installations of various character, as for example, Where the tub is placed in a room, with only one or two sides against the walls and two or even three sides exposed. Of course, where the tub is positioned away from the walls there will be no necessity for adjusting thel extent of the cover during the progress of work on the building, but the fact that it can be locked in place against unauthorized rremoval will greatly increase the safety of the fixtures during the course of building construction.

As represented in Figures 6 and 7, the fixture is a lavatory, 50, of the type adaptedto be mounted adjacent and supported by an upright wall, l, preferably prior to plastering or setting tile of said wall as indicated at 5l, because of the anchorage of the fixture to the wall. The fixture is encased by a protective covering, 59 of' any suitable material such as wood or sheet metal and is constructed as a rigid boxlike structure having a top, 53, with depending flanges, 5d, on the front and sides, the'covering thus opening downwardly and toward the wall; it being understood that if desired the endadjacent the wall may also be closed if desired in cases where the fixture is spaced away from the wall. By the construction shown, the covering be removed only in a forward or upward direction. To prevent its unauthorized removahthe covering is locked to the fixture by a flexible tie member herein shown as a chain 55, rigidly attached at one endto a side fiange, 54;, and is then trainedaround the back under side of the bowl portion,56, of the fixture with the other end of the chain secured to a shackle, 57, on the opposite side flap of' the covering` by means of apadlock, 58. To prevent injury to the finished surface of the bowl by abrasion, the portion of the chain in cont-act with the bowl is encased in a flexible sheath, 59, of leather, rubber or other suitable material. Some fixtures are installed equipped with faucet fittings, 60, and to insure their protection, thecovering, 52 may be'formed with an upwardly offset portion, 6l. interior of the covering is lined with' some suitable material such as felt (not shown)` to protect the finished surface of the fixture.

f The fixture illustrated in Figures'8 and 9 is a pedestal type lavatory, 65, having a pedestal or supporting base, 66, adaptedto be mounted on the floor. The covering, 67, for this fixture 'is similar to'that shown in Fig- Vures 6 and 7, and Aincludes depending` flanges or flaps, 68, on the front and sides. 'Secured to the depending flaps adjacent their lower edges are Vangle clips, 69', having inwardly extending horizontal flanges, 70, positioned `to clear the bottom edges of the lavatory when the covering is slid intoplace thereon, and in such position adapted to prevent upward removal of the covering. f Threaded through the flanges, 70, are set screws, 71, to be projected into the cavity, 72, ofthe under side of thefixture for firmly securing vthe cover in place against shifting movement. The covering is locked to the fixture to-preclude unauthorized removal by the same arrangement as shown in Figures 6 and 7 the chain, '.1' 3, being connected to one side flap, 68, extends around the back of the pedestal, 66, and is secured to the opposite side vflap by a padlock, 74; a sheath, 75.l covering the intermediate portion of the chain to protect the pedestal against abrasion.

Figures and ll illustrate a modified form of covering, 7 6, for a pedestal type of lavatory, 77. In this construction the covering is constructed with a rigid downwardly open box-like structurerhaving a top, 78, and depending flanges,

Y 7 9, on all four sides, and hingedly connected to the lower edge of each flange, 79, preferably at or slightly below the low-er edge of the lavatory proper is asupplemental flap, 80, adapted to be swung It will Vbe understood that the mdzly toward the pedestal of the fixture. A. eyolet, 81, is secured `to the inner side of nach *Hup mdjaceut its longitudinal center', and tmined `through `said eyelet is a flex- U hleememberyshown as a chain, 82. Thus ha the chain is drawn taut, the supplemental s, 80, are `pulled inwardly as dimm sin Figure 10,-and the ends of the chain im :mn'ed together 4by a padlock, 83, for n mitingunadthorized removal of the prooovming in rany lateral or upward AIn 112 and 13 a closet bowl type of intime, 86, Vis almost totally encased by a i Moe covering, 87, which comprises a )up tittien., 88, hirngedly connected depending and side flanges or flaps, 89, and sup- #einmal flaps, Y90, h-.ingedly `connected to #hdr lower edges. Trained through eyeiets, i, secured on the 4outer surface of said appklmntal flaps is a flexible chain, 92, .4wd when drawn taut to move the supple- .d 'flaps inwardly .iso as Yto be in position 'ha oontt with the inwardly sloping under u 86, of the lxfture rand thus prevent mnd memofval `.of vsaid covering, while the .lmml theneof in a forward direction is pnclnded rby :the chain proper contacting 'with the Vmaar of the fixture, a padlock, 93,

povrided to connect the ends of the nhl'm, this locking the cover to the fixture against meuthorized removal; a sheath, 94, "the portion ofthe chain contacting Mmrnflthe fixture to prevent the surface u il. beingldnnarged. It will be understood Mifrered the flanges, 89, could be formed @l 'with .the cover top, 88, 'or the supplemmtll lps, 90, may be formed rigid with to their supporting flanges, 89, profthe former are disposed at a suitable inwind 'mclimtion with respect to the latter :lo that they may be swung about the hinge nnedz'nns to .the top to a position to enmathe under side, 86a, ofthe bowl; bu-t the permits more lcompact foldingd the cover when out of use. The rear he ofthe top is provided with an open nhdn, 95, to provide clearance for the upmrdly extending watersupply pipe, 96.

u Asa separatem' additional means for prennauthorized removal of the protoxfine covering on a fixture of this type, the is ormed with a depressed well, 97, n slibdadal distance below the top surface,

u and extending downwardly through .the bottom of Hue 1well is a hook member, 98, having o hmdly extending hook portion, 99, awed tho he mom-ed into engagement with #n -der `side of the lohliquely sloping shelf U ,i .m im., nndrmly held in such position a It, '101, threaded on the upper end of mid member, 98,.:md abutting the upper side i the 'Intima mall of said depression. To insumo against .backing 0H the nut, 101, and 5 he `hook member, .a padlock, 102,

risiedono has its shackle entered in an aperture, 103, in the upper end of the member, 99, just above the nut when the same is screwed home.

The fixture illustrated in Figures 14 and 15 is a sink, 105, of the type adapted to be mounted directly against the finished surface of an upright wall, 106, on which it is mounted. The fixture is fully enclosed by a protective covering, 107, of box-like form lhaving a top, 108, and rigid depending flanges, 109 and 110, on the side and ends respectively; the open side facing the wall, 106. The top is provided with an upwardly otl'set portion, 111, to accommmilatc the upright apron, 112, of the fixture; this offset portion preferably being large enough to accommodate fixtures of this type that are installed equipped with faucet fittings, 113.

The depending flanges are each provided with angle clips, 11i, having inwardly projecting lugs, 115. and adapted to extend below and clca r of the lowercdge of the fixture when t-he covering is placed thereon. Set screws, 116, are carried on cach lug, 115, and adapted to ciuragc the under side of thc tixturc for securing the covering against shitting. It will be understood that this same covering is capable of use with sinks of this general type, having u supporting leg or legs. lilith such construction the covering may be removed only in a lateral direction away from the wall. One end ot' a chain, 117, is permanently secured to the side flap, 109;

.thence the chain is trainedaround the drain or waste pipe` 118, and the other end is secured to a shackle, 119, on the side wall by a padlock, 120, by means of which the protective covering is locked to the fixture against unauthorized removal.

It will be understood that in all the protective coverings for the various fixtures i1- lustrated in Figures G to 15, the interior surfaces of the ycoverings are lined with suitable material such as felt, so as to protect the finished surfaces of the fixtures against injury by abrasion such as might occurin placing or removing the covering 'trom the fixture, or due to a limited amount ot movement even when it is locked in place thereon. In some localities it is common practice to partially fill a tub with sawdust to protect thc enamel during construction work and where the locking,r of the protective covering is not deemed essential, 4this practice may be supplemented by the `use of one or more skirt members suf-h as that shown at 8, which will serve to protect the lateral surfaces more effectively than anything vheretofore provided.

I claim 1. In combination with a plumbing fixture having an upwardly open cavity and a later- Vally exposed surface, a portective ,cover including a main cover portion dimensioncd to serve as a closure for said cavity and a depending flange adapted to substantially cover said laterally exposed surface of the fixture; and locking means for securing said cover against unauthorized removal.

2. in combination with a plumbing iixture installed adjacent a wall and provided with an upwardly open cavity, a cover comprising a main cover portion dimensioned to serve as a closure for said portion attached to the main portion and `adjustable with respect thereto for varying its lateral extent with respect to the wall, means for firmly securing said supplemental portion to the main portion in any Vposition of ad- `ustment, means connected to the under side of the main cover portion and anchored to the fixture tor holding the cover against upward movement, and single locking means for controlling access to both said securing means and holding means. l

3. ln the combination defined in claim 2, said depending skirt having a transversely extending portion at its upper edge adapted to engage the upper' edge of the fixture.

4l. 1n combination with a plumbing` xture having an upwardly open cavity, a temporary protective cover dimensioned to serve as a closure for said cavity, means extending wholly from the under side kof said cover, adapted to be anchored to the fixture and provided with securing means disposed within the cavity and adjustable for holding the cover against upward movement, said cover having an opening arranged to permit access to the securing means and a closure for said opening provided with locking means adapted to prevent unauthorized access to the securing means.

5. in combination with abath tub provided with an upwardly open cavity and having a laterally exposed outer surface, a temporary protective cover including a rigid depending skirt positioned to overlie substantially the entire laterally exposed surface of the xture and a main cover section dimensioned to serve as a closure for the cavity and adapted to engage the rigid skirt, means connected to the under side oi the main cover section and anchored in the cavity of the tub for holding said co-ver section and skirt iirmly in position, and means for precluding unauthorized access to the cover holding means.

6. In combination with a hath tub provided with an upwardly open cavity and a laterally exposed surface, a temporary protective cover, including a covering element having a substantially rigid depending skirt positioned to overlie the laterally exposed surface, a transversely extending portion at its upper edge overlying the upper edge of the tub, and means secured to said covering element and arranged to engage the inner surface of the tub cavity yto preclude removal thereof in lateral direction, a main cover p0rtion dimensioned to serve as a closure for the tub cavity and engageable with the transversely extending portion of the covering element, and means for holding said main cover portion and covering element in place on the tub.

JOHN H. MCCANN.

cavity and a supplemental j 

